"November's Party"

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

October November gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's November's Party"
 

No Complaints...

It's a great day to be alive, the sun's still shining when I close my eyes...

 Life's great... the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the leaves are a wonderful array of warm colors, the clouds are unique, the birds are out and singing (my cat is on the prowl), it's sweater weather, thanksgiving is near, I love my friends, I love my family, God is good, I have no complaints...

The Power of Love

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix

*Pictures at Washington park and downtown... Oct. 3oth

Oct. 31st

 

We don't usually do much for Halloween except maybe handing out candy to small neighborhood children, occasionally going to a Halloween party hosted by friends... nothing big.

One thing I really enjoy about October 31st is seeing all the little tots parading down the streets in their super hero and princess costumes, huge smiles on their faces, chocolate smudges smeared across their lips, carrying a bag of candy that weighs more than they do.

This year was extra special... at least it was for a camera nerd like me... :)

I got the privileged of possessing a Canon Rebel Xis for the whole weekend. The camera belongs to the person I take pictures for at FPD events, and he was so kind to let me keep it for the weekend, and let me tell you I was on cloud nine for the last couple days until I was forced to give it back.- Telephoto lens, manual zoom, auto focus...a camera nerd's dream... *harp music

So, My first thought was... Ok, I have this great camera... where do I even begin? 

Well, my mom took me downtown to Ridge Avenue (the 'hoppin' neighborhood) on the night of trick-or-treat.  There were t.o.n.s of people... so many that several police men were in need. 

I felt like such a creeper with my huge camer snapping pictures... so I only took a few...

Next my mom took me to Washington Park to 'snap some pics'- which i will post later.

The weather was great, the night was fun.

After dinner at a deep-dish pizza restaurant downtown we ended the night with a show at the Grand Oprah House :)

Nothing too exciting, but something fun and out of the ordinary to enjoy!

It's November??

Ok, am I the only one that is trying to grasp the fact that is is already November 1st?

Not July, not September... NOVEMBER!? 

I was just counting down the days until Summer break... hyper-speed studying for my last exam and... I did what I told myself not to do... what I tell myself not to do every January 1st... I blinked. Why do I keep doing that?

I'm not sure why... but I did, and now, here I sit, dumbfounded, flabbergasted at the fact Christmas is less than 2 months away. It's crazy to look back and see all the ways that I have grown this year. Not only have I gained a few inches length wise (yeah that's right I used to be a shrimp-o), but I have also grown spiritually. I've dug deeper into the word, searched harder for His will, my eyes have been opened, my ears have heard. 

Now I can only think... a year from now... where will I be? If so much had changed this year, what about next year. What else will I learn? Where else will this road lead me?

My mind can't even grasp the thought of where I will be next year, but what's great is... I don't have to worry about it, I just get to sit back, relax and watch the Maker do His thing :)

God's Artwork

 

The other night the sky was simply gorgeous! One thing i have noticed it that no sunset is exactly the same. That really makes you appreciate the beauty of God's artwork :)

I am SO Happy!!

Guess... do you know? Do you know why I am so happy??

Well.... ok, i'll tell you...

I got my braces off today!! Ahhh! I am so happy!! Can you tell?

After 3 and a half years, I am MORE than ready to be braces free, and let me tell you it feel so amazing!!

All the orthodontist appointments were worth the result :)

Now, I can proudly smile  :-D

Buds :)

These are some of my really great buds! They Love me regardless of how many things I knock over in a span of 10 minutes. They Love me even though I am really crazy. They laugh at my jokes that no one else understands. I Love my buds and I know they Love me. I am so thankful for the role that all my buds play in my life.

 

Close to His heart

Life goes on. Full speed, fast paced, no grace, life. Each day hold new trials to overcome, more lessons to learn... and the hardest part is keeping the faith. The faith to believe that good comes out of everything, I am loved by my Father more than I can fathom, and no matter what, I am not alone.
I mean, how many times have you looked around and wondered- ok, what good is this gonna do in my life? God, where are you going with this?
Or thought- God, I know you love me, but I just don't feel loved right now...
There are just times that we all go through where we feel distance from God, and the firm hand guiding us seems to disappear.

But, what is incredible to me is that even in the times that seem the worst, God is at work. And it feels great to believe that what seems out of control to us is in God's hands, completely. It's all in His plan. His plan, that is so mighty, it's unfathomable to us. We just have to trust Him.
And it feels so amazing to wake up in the morning and say "I am a child of The KING!" It feels great to think, that even if nothing goes my way today, there is a God, standing right beside me, who loves me enough to die for me.
It's refreshing to remember that when I can't feel His hand guiding me, that He never let go, I just have to open my eyes and believe. Believe that even though this life isn't always easy, I am never alone.
When it seems that the world is hanging on by a thread, He is right there to hold me close to His heart.

He gathers the lambs in his arms
       and carries them close to his heart; 

Isaiah 40:11

100% YOU

We grow up learning to 'just be yourself''. All through elementary and middle school we try and try to 'be ourselves'...whatever that may be. The one thing we don't know while trying to 'just be ourselves' is who we are. After years of  trying to 'be yourself', you wake up one day and realize that you have been yourself. You can stop 'trying' and it just comes naturally. It falls into place, because you know that you are a child of the King. And on His shoulders you can see- that you are free to be you... 100% YOU, and nothing less.

Trust the Planter

One day, a seed was planted. The seed knew that one day it would grow big and tall just like the others. Sprouts began to grow out of the seed until it was able to withstand slight winds on it's own. As winter came, the winds blew harsh and set the plant off balance. The Planter watered the plant a little more and helped it grow strong enough to withstand storms. It grew taller and taller and it's roots got deeper and deeper into the soil. The plants around it weren't growing and it felt out of place. The plant was searching and searching for deeper soil and more water. It felt lost. The Planter moved the plant to a bigger garden with more soil and water, but the plant was upset. He missed his other garden, and familiar surroundings, but what the plant didn't notice all the while complaining, was that the sun shined brighter in this garden. The sun helped it grow, and the plant began to trust the Planter more and more as time went on.

Starry Night

Chris August

from the album No Far Away

Buy on Amazon | iTunes

Play sample

From the birds that sing                                     
In the tallest trees
To the human life
Of you and me.
From the desert sands
To the place we stand.
He is God of all
He is everything.

(Chorus)
I'm giving my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night,
That was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son,
Who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the autumn leaves,
That will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes,
To pray and sing
From the Painted sky,
To my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything


I absolutely love this song. It really show the power and majesty of the God we live for from day to day, and it makes me want to know Him more. He is God of all... HE IS EVERYTHING!